Bathtub



June 3o, 1936. l R, MUELLER' 2,045,867

BATHTUB Filed Julyl 23, 1954 Patented June 30, 1936 UNITED STATESBATHTUB Robert Mueller, Decatur, Ill.

Application July 23, 1934, Serial No. 736.601

s claims. (ci. 1r-.173)

The present invention relates to bath tubs. It has for its object toprovide a non-slip bath tub, and further, to give such a construction ofthe front wall or apron of the tub aswill permit the user to take aposition outside of the tub for manipulating the faucets or bending-overthe tub with greater ease than with tubs now in use.

In the drawing herewith I have illustrated my invention, and in saiddrawing:

-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a tub, showing myinvention,

Figure 2 is a sectional View through a portion of the bottom and endwall of the tub showing the waste outlet in elevation.

Referring to the drawing by numbers, like numbers indicating like partsin the several views, II) indicates the tub proper, which may be of anydesired material, the form of tub here shown being the usual metalenameled tub characterized by the usual side and end walls and the outer.apron Il.

'I'he Walls of the tub Aextend downwardly to they bottom, to which theyare joined by the curved sections I2, said sections I2 forming aninwardly turned substantially horizontal rim or edge extending, as hereshown, completely around the tub.

The tub bottom I3 is sunken, as shown, preferably from the edge of thebottom section I2 to form a substantial recess, as clearly shown in thedrawing. In Figure 1 the recess in the bottom extends substantially thefull length of the tub, being inset from and surrounded by the bottomsection I2, forming a marginal oiset between the tub walls and therecess. It will be noted that the sunken section of the tub bottom isanintegral portion offset from the plane of said bottom and is ofsubstantially the same thickness as the remaining part thereof.

In this recess in the bottom I3, a lling I4 of non-slip, waterproofmaterial, such, for example, as cement having an abrasive or adherentcontent to prevent slipping, is permanently secured and sealed so as tomake a substantially integral structure with the tub, thisfilling I4being preferably set so as to lie level with and form a continuation ofthe bottom section I2. Anti-slip tiles can, of course, be substitutedfor the cement nller, if desired.

Obviously, ornamental effects can be worked out in both the cement ortile, non-slip ller, to give pleasing designs.

As shown in Figure 2, the waste or drain outlet I5 will extend upwardlyand be lixed in the bottom I3 in any suitable or usual manner, andpreferably, as shown in Figures l and 2, the ller I4, mounted in therecess of the bottom I3,- will not extend as far as the waste or drainoutlet I5, so that the waste or drain outlet can be secured to thebottom section I2 of the tub in the usual manner and without disturbingthe filler.

This type of tub, with the permanently secured and sealed waterprboffiller, provides a completely sanitary job, as distinguished from thosear-` rangements which contemplate the use of a loose, removable,non-slip mat, beneath which drippings will collect and stand.

The arrangement is such that the job, when completed, becomes anintegral tub structure which may be produced completely by themanufacturer and sold ready for installation, and it lends itselfreadily to decorative schemes and color combinations.

It will be observed that theV outer wall or apron I I of the tub standssubstantially vertical, and since there is anappreciable distancebetween the inner and outer walls of the tub, one leaning over and usingthe tub must necessarily stand back a considerable distance in a rather20 awkward position. To overcome this difliculty, I have inclined thelower portion I6 of the apron II inwardly through a portion of itslength, so as to give a substantial recess, contiguous to the floor, anda person standing by the tub is enabled to stand closer, by reason ofthe vto'es of the vfeet extending into the recess formed by the inclinedportion I6, and eliminate the awkward position ordinarily assumed wherethe apron II extends directly to the floor, as indicated in dotted linesin Figure l. When a portion only of the apron is inclined inwardly, amore pleasing and nished eifect is given.

Such variations from the construction herein shown and described as arewithin the skill of a mechanic may, of course, be made without departingfrom the range of my invention.

1. A one-piece metal bath tub having an integral portion of its bottomoifs'et from the plane of the bottom and of substantially the samethickness to provide a recess, and a non-slip waterproof lling in saidrecess.

2. A bath tub having an apron extending in a substantially verticalplane, the lower portion of the apron being recessed inwardly anddownwardly to the oor to provide a space of suicient area to accommodatea foot of a person leaning over the tub.

3. A bath tub having an apron extending in a substantially verticalplane, the lower portion of the apron having a longitudinally extendingspace formed therein for the reception of the feet of a person leaningover the tub, said space being formed by an inwardly and downwardlyrecessed portion of the apron having its lower edge resting on the oor.

ROBERT MUELLER.

